Blood has significant meaning in the Bible. It’s tied to life, sacrifice, and covenant. While modern questions about blood transfusion may arise, the Bible’s discussions around blood are rooted in deep spiritual and symbolic meanings. Let’s uncover the biblical understanding of giving and receiving blood, and how it relates to life, sacrifice, and faith.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Rituals
What Does The Bible Say About Giving And Receiving Blood
Leviticus 17:11
“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”
This verse highlights the significance of blood in the process of atonement, emphasizing that the life of a creature is in its blood. In biblical times, the shedding of blood was associated with the offering of sacrifices for the forgiveness of sins.
Through the shedding of blood, the Israelites sought reconciliation with God and the restoration of their relationship with Him. This verse foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood was shed to atone for the sins of humanity once and for all.
Hebrews 9:22
“Indeed, under the law, almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.”
Highlighting the integral role of blood in the process of forgiveness, this verse emphasizes that forgiveness of sins was not possible without the shedding of blood. The Old Testament sacrificial system required the offering of animal blood as a temporary means of atonement.
However, this verse also points forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, whose blood was shed on the cross for the permanent forgiveness of sins. His sacrificial act fulfilled the requirements of the Old Testament law and provided a way for humanity to be reconciled with God.
Matthew 26:28
“For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
During the Last Supper, Jesus established the new covenant with His disciples, symbolizing His impending sacrifice on the cross. In this verse, Jesus refers to His own blood as the means through which sins would be forgiven.
By shedding His blood, Jesus inaugurated a new era of forgiveness, where the sacrificial system of the Old Testament would be fulfilled in Him. His blood represents the ultimate and complete sacrifice that brings forgiveness and reconciliation to all who believe in Him.
John 6:53-54
“So Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
In these verses, Jesus uses symbolic language to convey the importance of partaking in His sacrifice. He invites His followers to participate in His body and blood, signifying the need for a personal and intimate connection with Him.
By partaking in the body and blood of Jesus, believers symbolically demonstrate their faith in His sacrifice and receive the gift of eternal life. This verse emphasizes the spiritual nourishment and profound connection that comes from a relationship with Christ.
Acts 20:28
“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.”
This verse reminds church leaders of their responsibility to shepherd the people of God. It emphasizes that the church, as the body of Christ, was purchased with His own blood.
The blood of Jesus is a reminder of the great cost that was paid for the redemption and salvation of the believers. It serves as a call to leaders to diligently care for and nurture the church, knowing the immeasurable value Christ has placed on it.
Romans 5:9
“Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.”
This verse emphasizes the significance of Jesus’ blood in the process of justification and salvation. The shedding of His blood paved the way for believers to be declared righteous before God.
By placing their faith in Jesus and His sacrificial work on the cross, believers are not only justified but also saved from the righteous wrath of God. His blood serves as the foundation of our reconciliation with Him and our eternal security.
Ephesians 1:7
“In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.”
Through His blood, Jesus accomplished our redemption, providing a way for the forgiveness of our sins. This verse highlights the lavishness of God’s grace, demonstrating that our forgiveness is not based on our own merits but on the abundant richness of His grace.
By placing our trust in Jesus and His shed blood, we receive the gift of redemption and the full forgiveness of our trespasses, free from the burden of guilt and shame.
Colossians 1:20
“And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”
This verse speaks of the comprehensive impact of Jesus’ bloodshed on the cross. Through His sacrifice, Jesus reconciles all things to Himself, restoring peace between God and humanity.
His blood not only provides forgiveness of sins but also brings about the reconciliation of all creation, demonstrating God’s desire to restore harmony and unity to the broken world.
Hebrews 13:12
“So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.”
This verse highlights the redemptive purpose of Jesus’ suffering and shedding of blood. His sacrifice was not only for forgiveness but also for the sanctification of believers.
Through His blood, Jesus sets apart His people, making them holy and righteous in the sight of God. His blood cleanses us from sin and transforms us into vessels for His divine purposes.
1 Peter 1:18-19
“Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”
This verse emphasizes the incredible value and preciousness of Jesus’ blood as the currency of our redemption. It contrasts the perishable nature of worldly possessions with the imperishable and priceless blood of Christ.
Through His unblemished sacrifice, Jesus paid the ultimate price to rescue us from the futile ways of sin and separation from God, illustrating His great love and the depth of His sacrifice.
1 John 1:7
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.”
This verse highlights the transformative and cleansing power of Jesus’ blood. It emphasizes the importance of living in alignment with God’s truth and righteousness, walking in the light as Jesus Himself is in the light.
By doing so, believers experience fellowship with one another and the continuous cleansing of their sins through the ongoing efficacy of Jesus’ bloodshed on the cross.
Revelation 1:5
“And from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood…”
This verse acknowledges Jesus as the faithful witness, the conqueror of death, and the ruler of all kings. It highlights His sacrificial love for humanity and the freedom He brings from the bondage of sin.
Jesus’ blood is the means through which our liberation from sin is accomplished. This verse reminds us of the depth of Christ’s love and the power of His blood to set us free.
Hebrews 9:14
“How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.”
This verse emphasizes the superior efficacy of Jesus’ sacrifice compared to the temporary and external cleansing of the Old Testament sacrificial system.
By offering Himself without blemish as the perfect Lamb of God, Jesus not only purifies our consciences from dead works but also empowers us to serve the living God with renewed hearts and minds.
Hebrews 10:19
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus…”
This verse highlights the access believers have to God’s presence through the blood of Jesus. It encourages them to approach God with confidence and boldness, as Jesus’ sacrifice has paved the way for their relationship with Him.
The blood of Jesus grants believers the privilege of entering into the holy presence of God, free from guilt and condemnation, and able to commune intimately with Him.
Hebrews 12:24
“And to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.”
This verse contrasts the blood of Jesus with the blood of Abel, highlighting the redemptive and mediating role of Jesus’ sacrifice.
Unlike the blood of Abel, which cried out for vengeance, Jesus’ blood speaks a better word – a word of forgiveness, reconciliation, and salvation. His blood secures a new covenant and bridges the gap between God and humanity.
1 Corinthians 10:16
“The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?”
This verse refers to the sacrament of communion, where believers partake in the symbols of Christ’s body and blood. It emphasizes the spiritual participation and union that believers have with Christ.
By sharing in the cup of blessing and breaking the bread, believers symbolically commune with Jesus, acknowledging His sacrifice and the spiritual nourishment they receive through Him.
Acts 22:16
“And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.”
In this verse, the act of baptism is associated with the washing away of sins. While water baptism itself does not cleanse or save, it symbolically represents the cleansing and forgiveness of sins made possible through Jesus’ blood.
Baptism serves as a visible declaration of faith, where believers publicly identify with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, connecting them to the redemptive power of His bloodshed on the cross.
Revelation 7:14
“I said to him, ‘Sir, you know.’ And he said to me, ‘These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
This verse describes a multitude of people who have come through the great tribulation and have been purified by the blood of the Lamb. Their robes represent their spiritual standing and purity.
By being washed in the blood of the Lamb, they have been cleansed from all sin and made righteous before God. This verse highlights the transformative power of Jesus’ blood to cleanse and purify believers.
1 John 5:6
“This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies because the Spirit is the truth.”
This verse speaks to the dual testimony of Jesus’ coming – through water (referring to His baptism) and through blood (referring to His sacrificial death on the cross).
The Holy Spirit bears witness to the truth of Jesus’ identity as the Son of God, who shed His blood for the salvation of humanity. This verse highlights the unity and authenticity of the testimonies concerning Jesus’ redemptive work.
Hebrews 9:28
“So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”
This verse speaks of Jesus’ sacrificial offering once and for all, where He bore the sins of many on the cross. It foretells His future second coming, not for dealing with sin but for the final salvation of those who eagerly await His return.
Jesus’ bloodshed on the cross was sufficient to atone for all sin, and His return will bring ultimate salvation and redemption to those who have placed their hope and faith in Him.
Revelation 5:9
“And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood, you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation…”
This verse unveils a heavenly scene where a new song is sung, affirming the worthiness of Jesus to open the sealed scroll. It declares that through His blood, He has ransomed people for God from all corners of the earth.
Jesus’ blood is the price paid to secure the salvation of a diverse multitude, showcasing the universal scope of His redemptive work and the all-encompassing power of His sacrifice.